Coin controlled mechanism for vending machines



Dec. 13, 1955 F. c. DU GRENIER ETAL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2', 1351 9a [72 1/67Zt0/15; Fran 0:15 C fia 611972661; Fran/z 5, Perri. y 7 Atys.

Dec. 13, 1955 F, c, Du GRENlER ETAL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES 24 25 /0/ Invasions? Ewan czls' 60a fireizl' d a Frmziz 19.1 6271,

F. c. DU GRENIER ETAL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING .IACHINES Dec. 13, 1955 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 25, 1951 Inventors.

fiarzczk C 40a firerzz'ez;

Frank 5. P y 1, WK 5%; 7- 5/ arrz',

Dec. 13, 1955 C D EN E EI'AL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 23, 1951 I [72 were tons Frarzczis Cffla firen flank BJ err Dec. 13, 1955 F, c, u GRENlER EI'AL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 23, 1951 .r s .6 ZZ rap 4, n0 Q famfi wn% m m; r Wu Dec. 13, 1955 DU GREMER ErAL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 23, 1951 .r ce .z. m #A r m vuPQW nD 1 3 $7 m W 'Dec. 13, 1955 Filed Aug. 23, 3951 F. C. DU GRENIER L COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet '7 I. (IS/N6 QUARTER,

A. 25 SALE (fl/6h PRICE cowM/v) 8. 20 SALE (LOW PRICE COLUMN) (JP-STROKE DRIVEN) DOWNS TKO/(f (REIEASED) wrwvsmolri (RELEASED) 4 QUARTER Rae/155a r0 COIN aox 3 6m! run-0 IN COIN RfCE/VING POSITION IF Mam/u nsrww ans BEEN Pnewausu usea, OTHERWISE, 607E LEFT OPEN FROM fina /00$ o sxn rmu.

2 LOCK LEVERS UNLOCKiO BY GUIJRTER THROUGH QUIYRTER NBl/TMENT FINGER 4ND PLIITFORM SHELF,

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6. BEG/N5 TO RETURN.

7, QUARTER surponr FINGER RETURNS 7'0 8, GATE REMAINS 771.7150

H85 BEEN 0550.

[0, #7 RES) j 8580) T0 REPENT cycLs.

COIN RETAIN POSITION,

6. QUARTER 1951.545 r0 g, LOCK wens Lac/(ea.

Z Ll/HNGEMHKER SLIDE I0 IN POSITION TO POSH (1141755 COIN INTO CHI-IT,

COIN BOX 5, 6475 TILTE'D 11v couv l2,

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I, 197' 255 T, conv M,

RECEIVED, E-IECTOR HANDLE DRAWN; uP-

STROKE BEG/N3 1.0x! PRICE 7'88 AtrunrED.

I QUARTER SUPPORT FINGER RETURNS TO COIN R57AIN POSITION l5, LOCKLEl/ERS LOCKED.

CIIANGEMIKER SLIDE GEE/NS TO PIISH COIN 642'! 05/141; mrso amiss Mam/41. Rtrww HIPS BEEN USED- CHAIVEE COIN RELEASED.

CHHNOEMAKER OPERHT/NG 4917M RELEOSEO, CHI9N6E- Mfl/(ER SLIDE OPERHTOR DRIVE BAR RETURNING Ta REST Pas/7'10.

4r Rssr; READY r0 REPEAT CYCLE UNLESS SUPPLY OF PHYOFF COINS I5 snvaasrsa.

In 0622 6021s.- irarzczls' (I fill 'reizz'ei; jraizl? fiJ erra',

Dec. 13, 1955 DU GREMER ETAL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 25, 1951 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 1 7.15, fig. 12.

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y 44% Aefy Dec. 13, 1955 F, c, u GRENER ETAL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 23, 1951 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 95 1 Event 0775'. :17: Iranczl Cfiu 'reizzkn m/ fiat??? B. P 7

Dec. 13, 955 F. c. Du GRENIER L cor: CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Aug. 25, 1951 lkveizzans Fran a3 (f flu 'rerzz'er,

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Dec. 13, 1955 Filed Aug. 23, 1951 F. C. DU GRENIER L COIi' .JNTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 12 Fig. 23.

If. USING N/CKL'LS AND D/MES.

C. 25 SALE D 20 SALE UP-S TROKE D0 WNS TR OK E UFSTROKE DOWNSTROKE 5. END OF STROKE- 4. COINS RELEASED TO COIN 50X.

3, GATE TIL'TED.

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6, RETURN STROKE Z COIN PLA TFORM 8 GATE REMAINS TIL- 9. LOC/(LEYERS LOCKED.

BEGINS.

RETURNS T0 COIN RETAIN POSITION.

TED UNLESS IMNUI-IL COIN RETURN OPERATEQ READY TO REPEAT C YCLE.

6. EM) OF STROKE- 5, cal/v.5 RELEASED 4. GATE T/LTED WITHOUT QUARTER .45

3. LOL'KLEVERS UNLOCKED T0 COIN 50X.

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AT REST, cows RECEIVED; 5.15am? HANDLE DRAW/V, ursmax: B0/N$;LOIv PRICE ma 4671/4750.

7. RETURN STROKE 8 COIN PLA TFORM TO 9. GIITE REMAINS TIL- IO. LOCKLEVERS LOCKEQ II. INTERLOCK LATCH 12, 07' RESZ.

BEG/N5.

RETAIN POSITION.

TED UNLESS MANUAL COIN RETURN OPEIMTEQ RETURNED UP TO LOCKED POSITION.

READY TO REPEAT CYCLE.

At ys.

Dec. 13, 1955 R Q DU GRENER ETAL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES l5 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed Aug. 23, 1951 0 0 8 W. 9 0 a 0 M 8 30 3 M 7 I 3 J I] 6 a? z 5 0 I 2 Z v/ Z Q 5 L n/ I I IIIWIL 0 F NN? g 6 Q m 13 5 F wlr w 9 VP? *4 1 Wk! 1| 1: 0 4 5 Z l D t 6 5 a. 4 5 0 7 6 5 5 77 e6 6 rA wu lw Z2 :IAIIIIIIVI.

Dec. 13, 1955 c, DU GRENlER ErAL 2,726,749

COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 23, 1951 15 Sheets-Sheet 15 /65 Invwz tons:

' fiarzczls (72a rerzien Frank 15. Perri.

A ys.

United States Patent C) [and COIN CONTROLLED MECHANISM FOR VENDING MACHINES Francis C. Du Grenier, Haverhill, and Frank B. Perri, Groveland, Mass, said Perri assignor to Blanche E. Bouchard, Essex County, Mass.

Application August 23, 1951, Serial No. 243,234 16 Claims. (Cl. 194-54) This invention relates to coin-controlled mechanisms for vending machines, designed primarily to dispense cigarettes in package form, but which may be employed to vend other articles at different prices.

The primary object of the invention is to provide coincontrolled apparatus to vend articles of two prices, with a difierential, in a price range from 5 to 30, such as 54: and 10 and 15 and 20 and 25 and For illustrative purposes the mechanism is shown set up for vending articles, such as cigarettes, for 20 and 25, but by simple adjustment it can be made to vend other articles in the adjacent price classes mentioned. The mechanism is designed to operate with any combination of nickels, dimes, or quarters, and will return a nickel change when a quarter is inserted, and a 20 column isoperated.

An important feature of the invention is that the coin controlled mechanism can be mounted on a single panel and installed in a vending machine with a single bolt. Thus a defective unit needing removing or repair can be readily replaced with a new unit in a few minutes. The mechanism is further readily adapted dimensionally to be used in difierent models of vending machines, including vending machines of several different manufacturers.

Briefly, the coin-controlled mechanism is designed to be used in a vending machine of the vertical column-in-line type having a plurality of vertical columns. in line, for dispensing articles of two different prices such as cigarettes for 20 and 25. Each vertical column has its own package ejector, its own operating handle, and a common delivery chute. The machine is preferably mechanically operated, with the operating power provided by the purchaser, who, after insertion of the proper coins, pulls out the operating handle in the desired column. It will be understood, however, that the machine can be electrically operated, if desired, and that the mechanism is adapted to be used on other than the vertical columns-in-line type of vending machine. Selector means associated with each column set the machine so that for the selected column the machine cannot be operated unless the coins required for the particular column have been inserted. Each operating handle has a hook, which pulls with it an oscillating main operating shaft pivotally mounted in the casing and extending horizontally across the machine. The machine, of course, is locked and cannot be operated unless the proper coins are inserted, the coins acting as necessary elements to unlock the machine, and as connecting links to permit completion of the vending operation. The coincontrolled mechanism, operating through a novel arrangement of locking levers, counts and evaluates the coins, and when the proper coins are inserted and the proper handle is pulled the locking levers are unlocked to permit completion of the vending operation.

Briefly, the coin-controlled mechanism receives and separates the three denominations of coins which may be used to operate the machine, nickels, dimes and quarters, which are lodged on three separate coin platforms. Here the coins are counted and evaluated. Six

vertically disposed locking levers are provided on the panel, pivotally mounted at the bottom, and vertically slidable to unlocking posiiton. Each locking lever carries a feeler plate, and each plate carries the feeler fingers, one for nickels and the other for dimes. Each nickel operates one feeler finger, and each dime operates two feeler fingers. A separate quarter feeler plate extending horizontally under the locking levers operates to release five locking levers. When a coin is in position on its platform, it holds or pushes the feeler finger out, and as the machine is operated, upward movement of the locking levers pushes them into unlocking position, permitting completion of the vending operation.

Other important novel features and advantages of our machine include the interlocking means for the locking levers whereby the levers not supported by a coin are permitted to become unlocked, thereby making it possible to vend two articles of two different prices with a 5 differential between them. Further only one lever is used for delivering coins into the coin box of the machine and for coin return, the lever being moved upwardly to deliver the coins into the coin box, and downwardly for the coin return. A change-maker is also included which returns a nickel change when a quarter is inserted and a 20 column is operated, but is inoperative when a 25 column is operated.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the. details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine showing the coin-controlled mechanism in position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism, as seen from the front of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the coin controlled mechanism as seen from the inside or reverse side;

Fig. 4 is a plan view in section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

. Fig. 8 is a partial vertical section on line 8-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 8 but showing manual operation of the coin-return and gate tilting mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan section on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a cycle chart showing sequence of operations with a quarter as operating coin;

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the locking lever as sembly;

Fig. 13 is a partial vertical section similar to Fig. 7 showing operation of locking levers on a quarter;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 13 showing locking of levers in absence of coin;

Fig. 15 is a horizontal section based on Fig. 6 showing simplified disposition of parts;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary front elevation of change maker operating mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a section on line 17-17 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a detailed view of the change maker coin release. slide;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary front view of the change with nickels'and dimes as operating coins;

Fig. 24 is a view on line 24-24 of Fig. 7 showing the inside or reverse side of'the coin casting plate.

Fig. 25 is a schematic view of coin finger and locking lever in Working relationships (based on Figs. 6 and'24).

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary vertical section on line 26-26 of Fig. 6;

. Fig. 27 is a section similar to FigxZfi showing unlocking of locking levers on nickel abutment; i

Fig. 28 is a verticalsection similar to Fig. 26 showing locking levers locked in absence of dimes or nickels;

Fig. 29 is a chart correlating coin combinationafinger abutments and lock lever support; a i

Fig. 30 is'a longitudinal section on line Sit-30 of Fig. 28, showing interlocks in locked position;

' Fig. 31 is an enlarged detail of one of the interlocks;

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary section based on Fig. 30 showing interlocks unlocked;

Fig. 33 is a section based on Fig. 20; and

Fig. 34 is a fragmentary view showing adjustments for vending one price article using quarter as operating coin.

For purposes of illustration our coin-controlled mechanism is shown as adapted and used for a standard vertical columns-in-line type of vending machine. As shown in the drawings (Figs. 2 and 4) 10 represents the case of the standard vending machine, having a row of vertical compartments 11 in which the packages to be vended are stacked. The compartments 11 are ordinarily of equal width and evenly spaced, to take a column of cigarette packages lying flatwise, but it will be understood that the compartments may be divided to take a column of cigarettes lying edgewise. Beneath each column an ejector 12 ,is mounted on the inner end of a horizontal rod 13 on which an operating handle 15 is provided at its front end, and a downwardly extending hook 16 on its inner end beneath the ejector 12. Each rod 13 has a cutaway portion 14 providing a vertical surface 14a. A U-shaped main operating shaft is journalled at each end in the casing in and itshorizontal middle portion is engaged by each hook 16 of the operating handle 15, so that as the handle 15is pulled out the middle portion of the operating shaft 20 is oscillated or swung forwardly pivoting on the ends journalled in the casing. As the ejector 12 is pulled out, the bottom package falls to the bottom of the compartment and on the return or rearward stroke the ejector 12 pushes the lowermost package in the column of cigarettes rearwardly from beneath the stack, where it is discharged into the common delivery chute 18 and delivered to the customer. The operating power for the machine is thus provided by the purchaser in pulling out the operating handle '15 of any desired column, which transmits the power to the main operating shaft 20 and thence to the operating mechanism of the machine. The main shaft 2%) at its right hand end extends through the casing 10 and has a segmental casting 21 rigidly connected thereto With ratchet teeth 22 on its upper edge which cooperate with the'pawl 23, tensioned by spring 23a. The function of the ratchet and pawl mechanism 22 and 23 is to require the operator to pull out an operating handle.

15 to its fullest extent to operate the ejector 12 and to complete the vending operation. A crank arm 24 with roller cam 25 forms an integral part of casting 21 and as main operating shaft 20 is oscillated forwardly and rearwardly; it will be seen that crank arm 24 with roller cam '25 will move vertically upwardly and downwardly. The

vertical movement of crank arm 24 with roller cam 25 provides the operating movement for our coin controlled mechanism described below. Coil spring 26 is fixedly mounted at its top end to a pin 27 on the side. of casing 10 and at its bottom end -to a pin 28 mounted on the forward end of crank arm 24. The function of coil spring 26 is to restore the main operating shaft 20 to its starting position f on its return stroke. A four sided shaft 29 is also hOiir zontally and rotatably mounted in the casing 10 in front of the ejectors l2, and a tab 30 is mounted on shaft 29in front of each 20 column, and extends downwardly into the cutaway portion 14 of the ejector rods 13. A plate 31 is fixedly mounted on the top side'of shaft 29 at its right hand end. As each operating handle 15 for a 20 vending operation is pulled out tab 36? on shaft 29 is tilted by engaging edge 14a on the ejector rod 13 which tilts" plate 31 upwardly for a purpose to be hereinafter described. A channeled member 32 is further mounted on the right side of casing 1% of the vending machine and constitutes a coin return chute to return coins into the common delivery chute 35 through a suitable aperture 33 provided in the side of casing 19. .A right angled'flange ltla at the rear. edge of the right hand side of casiug lfl carries bolts 34011 which the panel 400i our coin-com trolled mechanism is mounted, and another stud 41,.internally threaded'receives the screw 42 again for remov' ably attaching the coin control panel 46 to the casing 16 of the vending machine. It willbe understood that the mechanism thus far described may be regarded, for.purposes of illustration, as a standard vending machine'on' which our coin controlled mechanism is mounted.

Our coin controlled mechanism as stated above com prises a unitary mechanism mounted on the removable;

panel 49, in turn supported on the vending machine 'cas ing 19 by means of the anchor screw 42. It will be also understood that there is mounted on the top of the panel 46 a suitable coin detector or slug rejector for detecting spurious coins and throwing them out of the machine, As this is a standard part it need not be described in detail. Suflice it to say that coins (nickels, dimes or quarters) placed in a suitable coin slot at the top of the machine, pass through the coin detector and thence into their appropriate coin chutes. The quarter coin chute 45 comprises a channeled member vertically mounted on the rear 'side of panel 413 (Figs. 3, 6 and 7) and a'quarter dropping down the chute comes to rest and is supported on quarter support finger 43, which 'is a right angled support pressed out of coin platform 5%. A quarter bypass 51 (Figs.- 3, 7) is further mounteclon the lower end of quarter coin chute 45 and comprises a tilting member pivoted on a horizontal axis at 53 having inwardly ex-. tending flanges 52a and 52b at its top and bottom, which" extend through suitable apertures provided in the sides ofquarter coin chute 45. quarter coin in position on quarter support finger 48 will push lower flange 52b outwardly about its horizontal pivot and thus push upper flange 52a inwardly into the coin chute 45 and thus block the passage to any further quarters which 'may be dropped therein. Such surplus quarters are by-passed automatically to the coin return chute 32. A counterweight 54 fixed on the by-pass member 51 above its central pivot normmly maintains the by-pass pivots 55 and carries on its'lower edge inwardly extending flange or bottom platform 56. The quarter support finger 48 previously mentioned is bent inwardly from the side of coin platform 59 and three dime support fingers 57a, b, and c are similarly pressed inwardly. (Figs. 3, 6 and 7.) A spring 58 on upper pivot 55 tensions coin platform 50 inwardly at all times, and when coin platform 50 is tilted outwardly to drop any coins supported thereon either into the coin boxof the machine or into the coin return chute, it istdone. against the force; of"

spring 58. An arm 59 extends laterally from the side of coin platform 56, and constitutes the means. whereby the coin platform is tilted outwardly to drop the coins therelt will be understood that. a

on, as will be explained below. It will be understood that the dime support fingers 57a, b and c of coin platform 50 extend inwardly through suitable apertures provided in panel 40 into dime coin chute 85 described below and that three dime by-pass members 51a, b and c, in all respects similar to quarter by-pass 51 are pivotally mounted on the rear side of panel 40 to by-pass the second dime to the second dime support finger 57b and the third dime to its support finger 57c. Since the present mechanism is shown for a 20 and 25 operation the third dime by-pass 510 is permanently immobilized by means of leaf spring 62 (Fig. 3) mounted on panel 40 by screw 63. The result is that any surplus dimes above two will automatically be by-passed to the coin return chute 32. A flange 64 extends inwardly from panel 40 above and parallel to platform 56 of coin platform 56, and has a slot therein to permit a quarter to pass through the flange 64- from its chute 45.

A coin return gate 65 is further pivotally mounted'on' the inside of plate 80 beneath the coin platform 50 and serves to direct the coins dropped from coin platform 50 either into the coin box of the machine or to the coin return chute 32. Coin return gate 65 is pivotally mounted at 66 (Fig. 3) and carries a laterally extending bracket 67 with arm 68 (to be actuated by the coin return mechanism hereinafter described) and another arm 69 carrying reversely extending pin 7%. A coil spring 71 attached at its bottom end to pin 70 and at its upper end to a cotter pin 72 mounted on the inside of panel 40 serves to hold coin return gate 65 in both tilted and vertical positions. A wire 74 (Figs. 2, 3 and 22) is vertically suspended from a latch 75 pivotally mounted on the front side or" panel 40 which carries a finger 76 which extends into a slot 136 of the change maker column described below and when there are no nickels in the change maker column serves to operate the quarter by-pass 51, push ing in the top flange 52b into the quarter coin chute 45, and thus returning the quarter coins to the customer through the coin return chute.

The remaining operating parts of our coin controlled mechanism are mounted on the front side of panel 49 and will now be described. Separate coin chutes 78 and 79 for nickels and dimes (Figs. 1 and 3) respectively are mounted on the front side of panel and inclined downwardly and forwardly, leading from the slug rejector to the coin casting 39, also fixedly mounted on the front side of panel 40. A dime separator 81 (Figs. 1 and 2) is pivotally mounted on the side of dime chute 79 about pin 82 and carries two arms with fingers 81a and b which extend inwardly through suitable apertures provided in the side of dime chute 79 and panel 40 which engage the dime coins as they pass down the chute. As the weight of one coin pushes one finger aside the other is pushed into the path of the next coin which serves momentarily to block the passage of the second dime and thus delays the entry of the second dime into the coin controlled mechanism. The purpose of dime separator 81 is to space the passage of the dimes with a slight interval of time between them, to prevent their jamming up in the coin controlled mechanism. Coin casting 30 is a metal plate having surfaces spaced apart from the panel 40 and which carries the coin controlled mechanism including the locking bar assembly. As shown in Fig. 24 the rear or inside of coin casting plate 8% is divided into nickel channel 84 and dime channel 85 by means of side walls 84a and dividers 84b for the nickel channel and side walls 85a and dividers 85b for the dime channel, preferably formed as an integral part of the coin casting plate 80. As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 24 particularly, nickel channel 84 begins at the forward top side of coin casting plate 813 and extends downwardly and then extends at right angles rearwardly on an inclined plane sloping downwardly from front to rear. Here the nickels arrange themselves in order of insertion on nickel platforms formed by the-inwardly extehdingflange 56 of coin platform 50 which constitutes the nickel supporting platform. Price change plates 86 with alternate and varying lengths 86a according to the particular price range desired for the vending machines are mounted at the right side of panel 10 by means of screw 87 and may be extended (Fig. 24) into the nickel channel 84 to constitute the positioning plate for the first nickel (N1) and as shown in Fig. 24, where the machine is set up for 25 operation, price change plate 86 extends inwardly far enough to occupy the space which would normally be occupied by the first nickel (in a sixth nickel set-up), leaving a series of five nickels (N1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) arranged side by side on nickel coin support 56 of coin platform 50. Dime channel 85 arranged inwardly of nickel channel 34 on coin casting extends vertically downwardly for a short distance and then inclines downwardly and rearwardly parallel to the bottom of nickel channel 84 formed by the nickel support platform 86. Dime channel 85, however, has three separate branches extending downwardly formed by the inner side of divider 84b and by the sides of dividers b, where the first dime (D1) lodges on dime support finger 57a, and by-pass 51a then operating (Figs. 3 and 24) to close off the first branch and second dime (D2) is by-passed to the second branch where it comes to rest on dime support finger 57b; andits by-pass 5117 then operating the third dime (D3) is by-passed to the third branch Where it rests on dime support finger 57c. When the machine is set up to vend articles of 20 and 25 value, and will thus take only two dimes, the third dime by-pass Site may be held permanently depressed asby the leaf spring 62 (Fig. 3), so that all dimes above two will be returned. It will be understood that coin platform 50 is tilted outwardly at the bottom on its pivots 55, by mechanism to be described below to drop the coins into the coin box of the machine or into the coin return chute 32 as controlled by the open or closed position of the coin return gate 65.

Mounted on the outside of coin casting plate 86 and at the top thereof on bosses 38 by means of screws 89 is the fixed portion of the locking bar mechanism (Figs. 1, 4, 6, 7, l2, l3, 14, 26, 27 and 28) which includes the locking bracket 96 which is a metal plate extending outwardly from the casting plate 81 and inclines downwardly from front to rear and parallel to the plane of nickel coin supporting platform 56. A series of six slots 91 are arranged transversely in the locking bracket 9i) to receive the upper ends of the six movable locking bars 191' (one for each of the six nickels with which the machine may be operated). The siots 91 are two lengths, the slots for the first, second, fourth and sixth nickels, being longer than those for the third and fifth nickels. The reason for the longer slots 91 is to permit the look ing bars 100 to pass through the locking bracket 94 when the machine is operating to vend the low priced article, and there is no coin to lift the particular locking bar, which would be lifted to vend the high priced article. Mounted on the underside of locking bracket 90 and directly beneath the inner ends of slots 91 is the interlock bar 92 which comprises a series of four shorter bars 92a, 1), c and d (from left to right in Fig. 30) enclosed within the channel member 93. Interlock bar 92 normally locks the locking bars 100 against upward movement, unless pushed outwardly by the proper coin (nickels, dimes or a quarter) standing on their respective coin platforms. The interlock bar also is part of the mechanism to permit a low price sale at a Sr? differential or in the illustrated setting of the machine at 25, to sell an article priced at 20. The interlock bar 92 will accordingly be described in more detail below under Price differential mechanism. Slidably mounted on coin casting plate 80 and movable relatively with respect to locking bracket 90 is the lock lever carriage plate 95 (Fig. 17) having slots 96 through which extend screws .97, which guide the reciprocal movement of op erating. plate 95 in an inclined vertical plane. plate 95 includes an upperrflange 98 extending at. right angles to the plane of plate 95 andparallel to locking 7 bracket 98 and carrying transverse slots 99 through which pivot bar 103 fixed in side brackets 104 formed on the two sides'of operating plate 95. Locking bars 100, six in number (one for each nickel up to 30) are flat blades arranged at right angles to the plane of operatingplate 95, coin casting plate 89 and panel 40 and have a downwardly extending leg with an inwardly extending foot 106, which is urged outwardly'at all times by coilsprings 167 which embrace the feet 196 and push outwardly from operating plate 95 as an abutment. The upper ends of locking'bars carry a narrower portion or finger 108 and at the base of each finger a right angle locking surface .169 which normally is blocked by interlock bar 92 previously referred to. Below locking surface 109 is a sloping surface or cam face 116, which sliding against interlock bar 92 cams the locking bars lllil outwardly to 1 slide by interlock bar 92 and permit upward movement of the entire movable portion of the locking bar mechanism which includes operating plate 95 and the parts mounted thereon. A series of four studs ill on coin casting plate 80 serve as stops or abutments for the first, second, fourth and sixth locking levers 10% (reading from right to left as in Fig. 1), against which the lockin'g' levers are urged by the coil springs 107. The locking levers 10th are thus normally maintained in locking position with the locking surface 199 being slightly below and in position to engage the interlock bar 92, as illustrated in Fig. 13. Each locking lever 106 in turn carries a shoulder rivet 112 on its side (Figs. l2l5), at approximately midway of'each lever on which is mounted a slotted feeler lever 114 having a sloping and longitudinally extending central slot 113, the lower'sloping surface of the slot being designated 113a. The upper end of each feeler lever 114 carries inwardly extending arm 15 with a suitable aperture, whereby each feeler lever 114 is pivotally mounted on pivot bar 116 in turn mounted on coin casting plate 89 and extending cross wise of the plate 80 parallel to locking bracket 99 and pivot bar 1&3. Locking levers Elli with feeler levers 11 i,

7 both pivotally anchored at their extremities and jointed together at their adjacent midsections on shoulder rivets 112 which pass through the slots 113 of the feelcr levers 114 thus constitute toggle joints. Each feeler lever 114 in turn on its inner edge carries an inwardly extending nickel feeler finger 113 and a dime feeler finger 129, which when the nickels and dimes are in position on their respective coin platforms (nickel support platform 56 and dime support fingers 57a, 2) and c), the feeler fingers 118 and 129 extend through suitable apertures provided in coin casting plate 84) to press against the fiat sides of their respective coins. The coins, thus in position on their coin platforms constitute stops or abutments for each feeler lever 11 and thus hold the lower ends of feeler levers 114 spaced outwardly from the coin casting plate 80. Thus it will be understood, as movable lock lever operating plate 95 carrying locking levers 109 with it moves upwardly, the sloping surface 113a of the slot 113 V on each feeler lever 11d, cams against its shoulder rivet 112 causin lockin levers 114 to move in a cammin" D action about the pivot bar 116 until a coin is contacted,

then moving the locking-surface 199 of each locking lever 100 out to avoid engagement with the interlock bar 92, and cam face Hi3 on each locking lever ,iililthen cams the upper end of each locking lever 1% outwardly, permitting the locking levers lfillto move upwardly through their slots 91 their full stroke, to permit completion Operating verticalreciprocal movement parallel with movable oper ofthe vending operation. .It will thus be seen that un less the proper coins have been deposited in the machine a locking lever ltlll'willthus not'be able to slide around and by-pass the interlock bar 92 and will remain locked. A quarter feeler plate 122 (Fig. 20) in turn is pivotally mounted at its top, on pivot bar 116 by means of arms 123 provided at the top of quarter feeler plate 122 to encircle the pivot bar 116. Quarter feeler plate in turn carries an inwardly extending quarter feeler finger 124, spot-Welded to its lower edge, which extends inwardly through a suitable aperture provided in the coin casting plate 30 to abut against'the side of the quarter coin in position on its quarter platform or support finger 49. Quarter feeler plate 122 is normally held spacedfrom coin casting plate 89 by means of leaf sp r'mg 125 mounted on the leftside of feeler plate 122, with the free end of leaf spring 125 pressing against the side of coin casting plate 30. Quarter feeler plate 122 also carries suitable apertures 126 to permit the three studs lii to extend through the feeler plate 122. Quarter feeler plate 122 also carries an outwardly extending flange 128 on its lower edge which underlies the second through sixth operative locking levers 160 which when the vending machine is operated with a quarter in conjunction with quarter feeler finger 124 abutting against the quarter, serves as anabutment in place of the nickel and dime feeler.

nickel, and hence maintained permanently out of locking engagement with interlock bar 92. The freeingof locking levers 100 as they are moved upwardly through the locking bracket 99, as carried by the movable operating plate 95, permits main operating shaft 29 to complete its forward oscillating stroke, and on its return stroke to operate the ejector 12 and thus eject the lowermost package in a column of cigarette packages;

As the mechanism for tilting the coin platform 50 on its pivots 55 to dislodge the coins supported thereon and to deliver them into the coin box (Figs. 8, 9, 10) is tied to the coin return mochanisrn this mechanism is best described with the coin return mechanism (Figs. 2, 6, 8-10). A platform operating bar 130 is mounted for ating plate 95 and locking levers 109 on the left side of coin casting plate (Figs. 1, 8 and 9) on bracket 131 having shoulder screw 132 which passes through a longi-- tudinally extending slot 133 in said operating bar 130..

Operating bar 130 is'off-set in .two vertical planes, the central portion containing slot 133 being marked 136a and its lower portion 13%. The lower end of operating bar 130 is mounted on pivot bar 103 through a. slot 134, in which the end of pivot bar 163 is slidable, to provide lost motion of pivot bar 103 and operating plate until the locking levers 143i) strike interlock bar 92. There-- after, however, when locking levers Tilt) are pushed outwardly to pass around interlock bar 92 and moving up wardly to complete the operating stroke, operating bar is likewise moved upwardly by pivot bar 103, with operating bar 130 sliding on shoulder screw 132. The lower end 130b of operating bar'13ll also carries a right angled flange 135 which actuates the operating lever 67 of the coin return gate 65 (to be described below); The

upper portion 130a (Fig. 2) of operating bar 139 is also provided with sloping cam faces, the upper cam face being marked 136a and lower cam face 1136b. These cam faces are provided respectively above and below a transversely extending pin 138 movably mounted in coin casting plate 80 and extending through panel 4%. On its outer end pin 138 is engaged by the cm faces 136a and b on both upward and downward movement of operating bar 130. On its inner end pin 138 engages arm 59 of coin platform 50 to tilt coin platform 50 outwardly and thus dislodge any coins supported thereon either into the coin box (not shown) or into the coin return chute 32. On upward movement of operating bar 130, as lower cam face 136b engages pin 138 coins are dislodged and delivered to the coin box; while on downward movement of operating bar 130 upper cam face 136a has actuated by the coin return lever to be described, and in conjunction with the coin return gate 65 the coins are returned to the customer. Operating bar 130 further carries at its top end a laterally extending flange 139, which is centrally apertured to receive the lower end of coin return rod 140. Coin return rod 140 is a wire rod mounted for vertical movement on panel 40 and it will be understood that it is operated from a conventional spring biased coin return lever (not shown) provided at the top of panel 40 and extending through to the outside of the vending machine by the customers pulling downwardly thereon. The top portion 140:: of operating rod 140 is arranged on the inner side of panel 40 and passes through a slot 140d on the panel 40 to the outer side of the panel at a horizontal portion 14% and the lower portion 140a of rod 140 is inclined in a substantially vertical plane parallel to that of the path of movement of operating plate 95 and locking levers 100. The lower portion 1400 of rod 140 carries a coil spring 141, buttressed at its top end against horizontal part 14Gb of rod 149 and at its lower end pressed against collared sleeve 142 which extends through flange 139 of operating bar 139 slidably mounted on the lower end 1400 of rod 140. The lower end of sleeve 142 is pressed by coil springs 141 through the aperture in flange 139 against nuts 143 provided on the threaded portion at the lower end of rod 140. On upward movement of operating plate 95 during a vending operation, flange 139 of operating bar 130 moves upward relative to sleeve 142 until it engages the collar of said sleeve. Thereafter, sleeve 142 is forced upwardly on rod 140 by flange 139 against the bias of spring 141. When plate 95 is returned by crank arm 24 to its original position on completion of the vending operation, spring 141 returns sleeve 142 to its original position. Similarly, when the coin return rod 140 is actuated by a coin return lever (not shown), sleeve 142 moves downward until its collar engages flange 139 of bar 130. Thereafter spring 141 forces the sleeve 142 to actuate bar 130, driving the latter downward to tilt coin return gate 65. Coin return gate 65 is normally held open (Figs. 9 and 10) allowing coin dislodged from the coin supports on coin platform 50 to drop downwardly into the coin box. It will be understood, however, on actuation of the Coin Return Lever (not shown) downward movement of coin return rod 140 and coin platform operating bar 130 causes flange 135 to engage and push downwardly arm 69, thus tilting coin return gate about its pivot 66, and the pin 70 being moved to the opposite side of its pivotal axis (Fig. 8) is held in closed position by coil spring 71. However, upward movement of locking lever operating plate 95 carrying locking levers 100 with it (when proper coins are inserted in the machine) will cause arm 13511 on bracket 104 on operating plate 95 to engage and push upwardly arm 68 on coin return gate 65, thus causing the latter again to tilt about its pivot 66, and as pin 70 passes to the other side of its pivotal axis (in a vertical plane) coil spring 71 holds coin return gate 65 in its open position, where it remains until the coin return lever is again operated by a customer.

Price difierential mechanism-The price differential or price change mechanism is provided to allow the machine to vend articles of two different prices having a diflerential between the prices. As previously stated, the present machine is set up to vend articles for 25 (known as the high priced article) and 20 (known as the low priced article); In vending articles at the price of 25, whether the coin deposited be a quarter,

10 two dimes and a nickel, one dime and three nickels of five nickels, there is no problem, as each of the five locking levers is supported by a coin allowing completion of the vending cycle. As previously explained, each locking lever is moved outward by its coin feeler lever 114 to by-pass and slide around the interlock bar 92. Normally interlock bar 92 would be a slot bar around which the locking levers 100 will slide when unlocked by coins. In previous vending machines with which we are familiar for vending a lower priced article (say for 20) the sixth locking lever 100 would be supported by some mechanical means as a coin substitute to allow it to slide around the locking bar 92. In the present application, however, we have provided mechanism for permitting the sixth locking lever 100 to slide through the locking bar 92 instead of around it, and to permit this to be done, whether two dimes, one dime and two nickels, or four nickels are used as the operating coin. We believe this type of interlock bar for locking the locking levers 100, but permitting diflferent locking levers to pass through the bar 92, dependent upon the operating coin inserted (either nickels or dimes or both) to be broadly new. As previously stated each low price column (here vending a 20 article) is first equipped with a pivoted transverse price change shaft 29 rotatably mounted in the casing 10 in front of the ejectors 12, and a removable tab 30 is mounted on the shaft 29 in front of each 20 column, which extends downwardly into the cut-away portion 14 on the ejector rods 13. The plate 31 is fixedly mounted on the top side of shaft 30 at its right hand end. As each operating handle 15 is pulled outwardly for 20 vending operation shaft 29 is tilted as tab 30 is engaged by edge 14a of the cut-away 14 on the ejector rod 13, which tilts plate 31 upwardly. The foregoing parts are mounted on casing 10 of the vending machine proper, as seen in Figs. 1, 6 and especially Figs. 16 and 17. The panel 40 carries the remaining parts of the price differential mechanism, which includes operating rod pivotally mounted on the outside of coin casting plate 80 in suitable bearings 146 in a plane parallel to pivot bar 103 and locking bar 92, and at right angles to locking levers 100. Operating rod 145 carries an inwardly extending crank 147 at its left hand end which extends through a suitable slot 148 provided in panel 40, in position to be engaged and lifted by plate 31 on price change shaft 29 as a 20 column is operated as previously described. Rod 145 carries on its right hand end another crank 149 extending outwardly and opposite to the direction of left hand crank 147 which carries an arm 149a on its outer end extending parallel to operating rod 145. Crank arm 149a is rotatably mounted in a suitable aperture provided in interlock latch lever 150, which is mounted for vertical reciprocal movement parallel to locking levers 100, at its lower end on bracket 151 on coin casting plate 80, and its upper end extends through a suitable aperture provided in looking bracket 90, immediately adjacent the right hand end of interlock bar 92 (Figs. 1, 2, 6, l6, 19, 20, and 30 to 34 inclusive). The upper end of latch lever is provided with two spaced longitudinally extending fingers 152, in which space is inserted a laterally movable leaf spring 153 fixedly mounted on the side of latch lever 150 by means of pin 155. A longitudinal slot 154 is provided at the bottom of latch lever 150, through which shoulder screw 156 extends for slidably supporting latch lever 150 on brackets 151. A vertically arranged coil spring 157 attached at its lower end to pin and at its upper end to a suitable hole at the right hand end of locking bracket 90 serves to hold latch lever 150 in its upward position of movement as permitted by slot 154. As previously explained interlock bar 92 comprises a series of four smaller bars 92a, b, c and d (Figs. 1 and 30-34) slidably mounted within channel member 93 on the underside of locking bracket 90 (as shown more particularly in Figs. 30 and 31). Interlock bar 92a is a longitudinally ex- 

